Fresh Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

I promise this is the last of the basil saga; at least for now. But really how can I help it?

The weather is simply gorgeous. I tell you this is the charm of Texas. It holds your hand and slowly and magically lures you into the winter season, so beautifully that you forget that the triple digit temperature almost had you dead only a few weeks back. The birds are chirping , the shimmering light plays on every blade of grass, the wind chimes are making music in every yard and the most pleasant breeze is blowing through my hair as I sit by the open window, close my eyes and absorb the enchantment – all of it. I am not sure if this is a walk into the winter or summer. There is not a single fallen leaf (by the way, I do miss the fall colors), on the contrary everything looks greener than it did in this past summer. It feels a lot like spring, right now; mocking birds, butterflies, the wide open windows, everything does. I cannot but drink in every moment of it.

The strawberries had disappeared or at least I thought so. Last week I found a shelf full of boxes again, and too cheap to walk by them without grabbing a whole lot. I bought five pounds. With the bunch of fresh basil (from my friend) and the strawberries, I did not have to think much. It had to be the ice cream.

After all, we are the few fortunate ones who gets to enjoy the spring during fall. Ice creams are meant for all year round. How about in your home?

This ice cream is fantastic soft serve too, just as it comes out of the ice cream maker.

and a lot of it were gone even before it went in the freezer…

(I had my eye on this photograph, for a long time. The idea was really cute, and it kind of stayed with me even though I had not gone back to look at it. I tried out a shot or two with the same idea, but when I finally found the original, it looked way different than what I had in mind. )

The ice cream here does not have any eggs. It is an uncomplicated recipe and the result is more like a gelato, light, fluffy and creamy. The basil and the lime zest makes the flavors very very refreshing.

Note: Instead of using part half and half, and part heavy/double cream, you can use all heavy/double cream

Preparation:

Blend/process half and half, heavy cream (or cream if you are using all cream), sugar, zest, 1 lb strawberries, basil leaves until smooth.

Chop the 1/2 lb strawberries. Set aside. This is going to be added to the ice cream for some extra bites.

Crush nuts just enough and not too much, or they will release oil. Set aside

Combine all ingredients, with the cream, basil and strawberry blend in the ice cream maker and process as per instructions. Add the vodka and churn for another 10 minutes.

If you do not have an ice cream maker:

(In a large container, stir in the basil & strawberry cream blend, almond, zest, salt, chopped strawberries and the vodka and freeze. Approx. every one to two hours take the ice cream out from the freezer and blend it with the hand blender or whip it with a spoon till your arms are sore – this is to break up the ice crystals. You might have to repeat this process about 3 – 4 times.)

33 comments to Fresh Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

Lol about the uncertainty of walkin into Spring or Winter:D Yep, we in Dallas needed to see the green so much. The grass dried up in Summer like it would in Fall and now it looks like Spring in Fall Whoa! The heat is turned up at my home and am giving myself two more days to switch to the cooler setting and feel “in” Spring!

Yes,soma I agree with U, ice creams are meant for the all seasons….I do have to try basil in ice cream yet, it sounds nice combo……in our house also atleast half of the ice cream vanishes as soon as we make it, kiddos like it in ice cream soup way….he eats big bowl by justifying that it’s home made so it’s more healthy….lol….

The pictures are absolutely beautiful, Soma and the styling is world class. Even though I am not too fond of basil in ice-cream, just looking at the pictures makes me try some. Enjoying the fabulous weather as well!

I’ve only had strawberry and basil together once, in a badly made cocktail overloaded with pepper, but this ice cream looks fabulous. I love basil, it’s such a beautiful herb. By the way, I LOVE that photo of the ice cream with the paintbrush.

Strawberries and basil – match made in heaven IMHO. I’m bookmarking this for my next ice cream adventure.

I hope you don’t mind my (hopefully) constructive feedback on the paintbrush photo – while I find it pretty, it’s rather unrealistic – something you wouldn’t put together (even if it’s a pastry brush) in reality. I’m reserved like that in food photography, maybe a little too uptight. Heh…

Hey! I do not mind at all! It is always nice to hear another view. I am all open for it. Yes I agree it is totally totally unrealistic! and when i was taking the photograph with the ice cream slapped down on the board, i was thinking .. “gosh what on the earth I am doing in the name of a photograph.. ”.. but i had seen the original image long time time, (for some reason i can’t be found anymore.. seemed to have disappeared from the pinterest board too), and the idea stuck to me. I just had to try it sometime:D, not for strange food presentation, but for the fun. I don’t mind doing that once in a while!

I totally understand what you are saying.. these photographs do not make you want to “Eat”.. they are just fancy. to go deeper, however this kinds also make me think like a child.. like when i hear my kids saying..”Wish we had ice cream walls in our rooms” .. u know things like that! and i hear a lot of variety of wishful thinking at all.. again unrealistic but cute. what do you think?

Pretty in pink! Oh what beautiful pictures…Ice cream is a treat that has to be enjoyed all year round, I believe so too. I never thought basil can be paired with strawberry and turn out a perfect cool treat like this. Can’t wait to get the ice cream maker working…

Hey Soma, each time I visit this space I’m more affected by the beauty of your images than your delicious recipes. The pics are simply aaahhh! Strawberry basil combo sounds intriguing, gotta taste this soon.

It’s my first time here and wow, I love your photography! Your props and composition are so fun I’m on a huge basil kick right now, so no judging. On top of the 2-3 recipes I’ve been eating with it/day, I’ve also been adding it to my water with some fresh lemon/lime slices. So good!

Wondering how you were able to keep the pick color of the ice cream. I followed your recipe and blended the basil with the strawberry mixture and it turned out a brown color. Still tasted delcious though not as pleasing to look at!

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